Up Next

Perth high school offering AFL as a subject for girls

Perth high school offering AFL as a subject for girls

The introduction of the AFL women's competition starting early next year is already having an impact in our schools. Mater Dei College is offering the unique chance for year nine and ten girls to choose AFL as a subject. Vision: Ten Eyewitness News Perth

Lazenby scored the coveted role of secret agent 007, despite having no prior acting experience. He said that when film producers Albert Broccoli and Harry Saltzman demanded Lazenby return the next day after a successful casting call, he “didn’t like their attitude”.

“So I told them I couldn’t be there, that I’d be in Paris for a film - which I wasn’t - and they asked how much I was being paid,” he said.

Advertisement

“When I told them I was being paid £500 a day - which I wasn’t - they said 'go down to the accountant and he’ll give you the money, be here tomorrow'. They had never paid any actor to come back for a call back.”

The actor said that when director Peter Hunt learned of the ruse he “belly laughed” and offered him the role on the spot.

“He said ‘you’ve fooled two of the most ruthless people I’ve met in my life and they made me fly back from Switzerland to see you. Stick to that story and I’ll make you the next James Bond’.”

After playing James Bond in the 1969 film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, he took the advice of his agent and sought greener pastures.

“My agent said ‘it’s about love not war right now’. James Bond is the opposite, he said it was going to die and that’s why Connery gave it up,” said Lazenby.

“He told me I could make that kind of money doing movies in Italy. Clint Eastwood was getting $500,000 for doing Westerns in Italy and he didn’t have to speak.”

Lazenby said he took that advice and refused to sign a seven movie contract offered to him – a contract reportedly worth a million dollars.

“When I wouldn’t sign the contract, they put out the word that I was difficult to handle and no film company wants to know about that so I couldn’t get a job for years. So I gave up looking,” he said.

“There’s an element of me that thinks I should have done two Bond films to prove that they didn’t get rid of me.”

“On the other hand, I wouldn’t have the life I’ve had. I have beautiful kids, which I may not have had if I continued with Bond, instead I was Bond-ing with my children!”

Jobless and broke, Lazenby took a chance and flew to Hong Kong, where a big storm lead to a chance encounter with a legendary action film star.

“I was there in the middle of the street clinging onto a telephone pole when Bruce Lee’s car drove up, he told me to get in,” said Lazenby.

“I had no choice, I had no money and I had a girl with a baby so I needed money and no one would give me a job.

“He gave me $10,000 and opened a bank account for me. Bruce died three days later and I was with him.”

Lazenby will meet with fans at the Supanova Pop Culture Expo held at the Perth Exhibition and Convention Centre this weekend. For those who can’t make it, he’s working on an autobiography.

“We’re writing it right now and a guy in Australia is putting it together film-wise,” said Lazenby.

He was also quick to settle an internet mystery, and categorically denied that he is behind the poetic @georgelazenby Twitter account, which is followed by nearly 12,000 people.

He said he also hopes to return to movie screens soon.

“There are some people in Australia working on a project they want me for and there’s a guy who wants to put something together in Poland, so I’ll have something coming up if I live long enough,” said Lazenby.

“I spent 20 years in acting class, I’ve never had a role where I can show my abilities. I can act now and it’s not about the money, it’s about the high you get, kind of like being on drugs.”